Tag: 12 mark questions

Discuss how far sociologists would agree that the main causes of riots is poverty. (12 marks)

Please write your answer on A4 lined paper.

You should only spend a maximum of 12 minutes writing the answer. Feel free to plan it first.

Due

Suggested structure:

Introduction – define riots; where have they taken place; identify the complexity of reasons

Paragraph 1 – agree with the statement and explain why poverty might help cause riots; give examples and use Marxism to support your argument

Paragraph 2 – disagree and give an alternative reason. For example, you might utilise the New Right and argue that because most of the London rioters were teenage males, there has been a breakdown in parenting and discipline (by schools and police)

Paragraph 3 – disagree with poverty being the only cause and give an alternative reason – Bauman blames consumerism and the resultant relative deprivation for example

Paragraph 4 – disagree with poverty being the only cause and give an alternative reason – for example, you might discuss the breakdown in community in many places, ethnic division or perhaps unfair policing

Conclude – which are the most important causes? Why are riots likely to take place again in the UK and the USA? Why don’t most people riot?

Discursive (or discourse) markers are words and phrases which, if used correctly, can add fluency to you writing and help you to link ideas and paragraphs together. They will help your response develop in a logical and structured way. Try some of the following to: